FortisBC Holdings Inc. applauds provincial approval of the Tilbury Marine Jetty Project
Delta, B.C. – March 27, 2024 – An Environmental Assessment Certificate has been issued to Tilbury Jetty Limited Partnership for the Tilbury Marine Jetty (TMJ) Project. FortisBC Holdings Inc. (FortisBC) welcomes the approval by the Province of British Columbia of the TMJ project and is awaiting a decision from the Government of Canada.
The TMJ project consists of building a jetty, or dock, on the south arm of the Fraser River adjacent to FortisBC’s existing Tilbury LNG facility. Once constructed, the TMJ will be the first facility on Canada’s west coast that will enable trans-oceanic vessels to fuel with liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the Port of Vancouver.
LNG from Tilbury is among the cleanest in the world with a carbon intensity that is about 30 per cent lower than the global average because the facility is powered by hydroelectricity. Using LNG from Tilbury rather than conventional marine fuel reduces GHG emissions by up to 27 per cent, in the very difficult to decarbonize marine sector. Switching all ships that call at the Port of Vancouver from conventional marine fuel to LNG marine fuel would also remove 90 per cent of the particulate matter associated with marine shipping from the local airshed, according to a third-party study.
In 2022, FortisBC signed an agreement with the Musqueam Indian Band that includes options for Musqueam to acquire equity ownership in the projects at Tilbury, subject to regulatory approvals and certain conditions precedent.
Since 2014, the TMJ project team has conducted thorough and ongoing engagement and consultation with municipalities, the Metro Vancouver Regional District, federal and provincial agencies and Indigenous communities to learn about their concerns and what is important to them. Based on this feedback, the design enhancements reduce the potential impact on vegetation, fish, and fish habitat. The TMJ project team engaged with over 30 Indigenous communities through working sessions, individual meetings and two-way exchanges of information resulting in consent and support letters from 12 different nations.
For more information, visit fortisbc.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tilbury Pacific
tilburypacific.ca
[email protected]
24-hour media line: 1-855-592-7727
Tilbury Marine Jetty Enters Final Environmental Assessment Stage
The EAO has completed the Application Review phase for the proposed Tilbury Marine Jetty and, on October 11, 2022, has referred the project application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate to the Minister of Environment & Climate Change Strategy and Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure for a decision. Ministers have up to 45 days to decide whether to issue a certificate, not issue a certificate, or require further assessment.
Large-scale projects in BC undergo a review process, led by the provincial regulatory agency the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). The purpose of this review is to thoroughly assesses potential environmental, economic, social, cultural and health effects. The EAO has referred the Tilbury Marine Jetty project to ministers for a decision on awarding an Environmental Assessment Certificate.
The Tilbury Marine Jetty would meet accelerating demand for LNG as a marine fuel given shipping lines’ increasing focus on reducing emissions caused by current marine oil and diesel fuels. Switching from these higher carbon fuels to LNG reduces emissions that contribute to global warming and air pollution - important issues for our communities, our province, our country and our planet.
Today more than 3,100 foreign vessels arrive at the Port of Vancouver each year. Swapping LNG for traditional oil-based marine fuel will remove 90 per cent of associated particulate matter from the local airshed, decrease greenhouse gas causing emissions by about 27 per cent, while attracting a new generation of cleaner ships to the Port of Vancouver. Approval of the Tilbury Marine Jetty unlocks these reductions.
The Tilbury Marine Jetty includes the berthing and transferring of LNG to marine barges and carriers for delivery to local fuel markets and, pending market demand, offshore export markets. Tilbury Marine Jetty will require the removal of existing abandoned marine infrastructure, the construction of a new marine jetty (access trestle, loading platform and mooring dolphins), the construction of LNG infrastructure to receive processed LNG for transfer to marine vessels and safety and process control systems. The supply of LNG for Tilbury Marine Jetty will come via a pipeline from the existing adjacent FortisBC Tilbury LNG Plant.
BC EAO extends application review timeline to allow for supplemental assessment of marine LNG bunkering demand
Tilbury Jetty Ltd. Partnership is proposing to conduct a supplemental assessment of the Tilbury Marine Jetty to consider a scenario where bunker vessels could call at the jetty more frequently than currently considered in the environmental assessment.
The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office has extended the environmental assessment application review timeline to July 5, 2022 to allow Tilbury Jetty Ltd. Partnership to complete the supplemental assessment and allow time for engagement with Indigenous nations and stakeholders on the findings.
Since the Environmental Assessment process began in 2015, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering market has evolved supported by new policies and regulations to reduce the environmental impacts of marine shipping. For example, the B.C. government has committed to amending existing policies to reduce the carbon intensity of fuels used in the marine shipping sector. The International Maritime Organization has also adopted policies to improve air quality and made additional commitments to reduce GHG emissions in the marine shipping sector that encourage the use of LNG to reduce pollution relative to existing marine fuels.
As a result of these policies, demand for LNG as a marine fuel in the Port of Vancouver may increase beyond initial forecasts. As of 2021, LNG-fuelled vessels are approaching 30% of vessels on order by ship volume, according to industry coalition SEA-LNG.
Additionally, the LNG bunkering vessels that are in development to serve the Port of Vancouver are expected to be smaller than initial projections, which means there is the potential for up to one LNG vessel per day calling at the Tilbury Marine Jetty on average each year to meet market demand, including up to 68 LNG carrier calls. The anticipated bunker vessel size is smaller than many other vessels that regularly travel the Fraser.
Tilbury Jetty Ltd. Partnership values meaningful engagement and is seeking feedback from Indigenous Nations and stakeholders on this supplemental assessment. Please visit the website of the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office for more information on the EA process.
Environmental assessment public comment period begins
The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office is initiating a public comment period for the Tilbury Marine Jetty. A 30-day comment period will start on Aug. 5 and end on Sep. 7. The public is invited to comment on the draft referral materials for the project. For more information on how to participate please visit projects.eao.gov.bc.ca.
WesPac names new proponent for EA process
Vancouver, B.C. — June 16, 2020: WesPac Midstream-Vancouver announced today that the proponent of the WesPac Tilbury Marine Jetty Project is now Tilbury Jetty Limited Partnership, to be jointly owned by Fortis LNG and Seaspan. The Tilbury Marine Jetty could be a vital link in the west coast LNG supply chain and help, through enabling marine supply of LNG, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in B.C. and abroad.
WesPac has worked to develop the Jetty project for several years, which is adjacent to Fortis’ Tilbury LNG facility. The Tilbury Jetty Limited Partnership believes that this project will play an important role in meeting growing demand for LNG as a marine fuel and for export markets.
The project is currently completing an environmental assessment (EA) under the direction of the BC Environmental Assessment Office. The environmental assessment is expected to conclude later this year. If approved, construction could begin in 2021 and be in limited service for marine LNG fueling in 2022.
Both Fortis and Seaspan have well-established businesses in British Columbia. Fortis will bring decades of experience in British Columbia-based LNG operations to the Tilbury Jetty Limited Partnership and Seaspan will bring decades of experience in marine jetty operations including those on the Fraser River.
Tilbury Jetty Limited Partnership, the proponent of the Tilbury Marine Jetty Project, is committed to engaging with Indigenous groups and local communities as the Project continues to move forward.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tilbury Pacific
tilburypacific.ca
[email protected]
24-hour media line: 1-855-592-7727
WesPac files marine shipping assessment with EAO
VANCOUVER, B.C. – Dec. 09, 2019: WesPac Midstream Vancouver LLC filed today a marine shipping assessment to meet the expanded scope of the Environmental Assessment Certificate Application Review.
The marine shipping assessment provides additional details on project shipping, including measures to minimize potential impacts. Project ships will follow established shipping lanes and maintain reduced speeds to limit interactions with marine mammals. LNG carriers calling at the jetty will be powered by natural gas, which will significantly lower emissions compared to bunker oil and diesel powered ships in the region. LNG bunker vessels will enable regional fleets to convert to newer, lower-carbon LNG powered vessels. Ships will also follow port guidance for safe navigation including:
- LNG carriers will have a tug escort
- A safety zone will be maintained during vessel berthing and loading
- Local pilots will be onboard to guide the ship
The Application Review period was temporarily suspended following a decision by the federal ministry of Environment and Climate Change to extend the assessment of the potential impacts of marine shipping to the 12-nautical mile limit of Canada’s territorial waters. As part of this expanded assessment, additional consultation was facilitated with Indigenous groups.
Learn more: EPIC: WesPac Tilbury Marine Jetty
—
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tilbury Pacific
tilburypacific.ca
[email protected]
24-hour media line: 1-855-592-7727
EAC Application Review for Tilbury Marine Jetty Project temporarily suspended
VANCOUVER, B.C. – Aug. 6, 2019: WesPac Midstream Vancouver LLC’s formal request to temporarily suspend the Environmental Assessment Certificate Application Review for the Tilbury Marine Jetty Project has been accepted and the project scope extended by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office. This temporary suspension follows a decision by the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change earlier this month to extend the assessment of the potential impacts of marine shipping to the 12-nautical mile limit of Canada’s territorial waters. The request will allow WesPac to gather additional information needed to satisfy the requirements of the Marine Shipping Assessment and allow for additional consultation with Indigenous groups.
The company recognizes that the expectation for evaluating marine shipping activities has changed and is moving forward to provide the additional information needed to evaluate the expanded scope of the project. Once this shipping assessment is complete and has been reviewed by regulators, stakeholders and First Nations, we anticipate the 180-day Application Review period, which began March 21, will resume once the supplemental shipping assessment is completed and accepted by the BCEAO. We’re working to resume the regulatory process as soon as possible with the goal of beginning construction by summer 2020.
WesPac is committed to developing a marine jetty that benefits the environment by providing LNG to reduce the impact of global shipping, while also limiting our potential impact on the local environment. We’ve already enhanced the design of our project to limit its impact on the Fraser River, including reducing the overall footprint. We’ll also ensure local marine life is protected during construction and throughout the life of the project. For example, project vessels will follow established shipping lanes and maintain reduced speeds to limit interactions with marine mammals.
—
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tilbury Pacific
tilburypacific.ca
[email protected]
24-hour media line: 1-855-592-7727
Environmental assessment filed for proposed Tilbury Pacific LNG marine jetty
News Release – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vancouver, B.C. ̶ March 21, 2019: WesPac Midstream-Vancouver’s proposal to build the Tilbury Pacific LNG marine jetty on the Fraser River in Delta, B.C. reached a new milestone today with the filing of an application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate with the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office and the start of a new public consultation period.
Tilbury Pacific would become a vital link in the West Coast LNG supply chain delivering low-emission fuel to a new generation of coastal and ocean-going shipping. It would also have the capability to supply bulk shipments of B.C.-produced LNG to customers across the Pacific and along the West Coast.
“The world is turning to natural gas as an energy alternative to coal and oil,” said Peter Gallenberger, Tilbury Pacific project manager. “Exporting LNG through the Tilbury Pacific jetty will help support the environmental goals of countries that lack Canada’s wealth of energy options, while also helping the shipping industry as it shifts from bunker fuel to natural gas.”
Market forces have positively shifted the outlook for LNG in recent years with the growing need for a low-emission fuel. Global demand has surged as countries look to reduce their reliance on coal and oil for fuel. Tilbury Pacific would have the capability to supply bulk shipments of LNG and connect customers overseas with Canada’s extensive natural gas reserves.
The International Maritime Organization is also introducing a new global cap on sulphur emissions in 2020 that will encourage more shipping companies to switch their fleets from bunker fuel to natural gas. Tilbury Pacific is positioned to play a key role in supplying LNG-fuelled ships in the Pacific Northwest region and trans-Pacific ships.
Over the last year, WesPac has been planning and refining the Tilbury Pacific project. There have been a number of changes to the proposed design as a result of feedback from the public, Indigenous communities and potential customers. These changes include:
- Proposal to build a temporary floating berth to serve bunker vessels and ocean-going ships as soon as 2020
- Permanent berth to serve export and bunker vessels would be operational by 2022
- Reducing the project’s physical footprint with a shorter, narrower walkway and smaller trestle to allow more light to pass through. This means less impact on the marine environment near this historically industrial site.
Visit TilburyPacific.ca to subscribe to project updates and learn more details about upcoming open houses. Find more information on the environmental assessment certificate application at projects.eao.gov.bc.ca.
About WesPac Midstream
WesPac Midstream – Vancouver LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of WesPac Midstream LLC, a private energy infrastructure company founded in 1998 to develop, own, and operate energy facilities throughout North America. WesPac is majority owned by Kealine LLC, a private development company.
—
KEY FACTS:
- In B.C., coastal freight vessels and trans-Pacific vessels produce about 70 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year, which is more than the entire province emits each year.
- Converting one ocean-going tanker, cruise ship or container ship to LNG from heavy fuel oil reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 93,500 tonnes a year. This is equivalent to taking 19,800 cars off the road.
- LNG fuel provides environmental benefits by reducing emissions from ship engine exhaust. According to a report prepared for Transport Canada, compared to other marine fuels LNG can lower emissions from:
-
- Sulphur oxides by over 90 per cent
- Nitrogen oxides by up to 85 per cent
- Particulate matter by over 85 per cent
- Carbon dioxide by up to 29 per cent
- Greenhouse gases by up to 19 per cent on a CO2-equivalent basis
- Anticipated spending with direct supplier industries in B.C. during the four-year construction phase of the project is estimated at about $132.8 million, including taxes and wages.
- By the end of 2017 and since the first commercial shipment, LNG vessels have safely delivered more than 92,000 cargoes around the world.
—
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tilbury Pacific
tilburypacific.ca
[email protected]
24-hour media line: 1-855-592-7727
WesPac receives approval of Application Information Requirements
In the latest step toward development and construction of its WesPac LNG Marine Jetty at Tilbury Island, WesPac Midstream – Vancouver LLC (WesPac) today received approval of the Application Information Requirements (AIR) from the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (BC EAO). The AIR specifies the information that WesPac is required to provide in its Application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate under the BC Environmental Assessment Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
The 18-month process resulting in approval of the AIR involved receiving input from, and review by, many federal, provincial, and local agencies as well as 13 First Nations and the public. The process was conducted by the BCEAO, with WesPac responsible for incorporating relevant input into the AIR.
With the AIR approved, WesPac now moves on to preparing the information specified in the AIR document to make its Application. Although the BC EAO requires completion of the Application within three years, WesPac plans to complete it in 2017.
WesPac’s LNG Marine Jetty Project will be a single-berth dock located on the Fraser River, serving mid-scale and small-scale LNG vessels. Its location will be adjacent to the Tilbury LNG Plant, a separate company owned by FortisBC Energy Inc.
The AIR documents can be accessed through the BC EAO’s Project Information Centre (e-PIC) at http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/epic/html/deploy/epic_project_home_435.html .
About WesPac Midstream LLC
WesPac Midstream – Vancouver LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of WesPac Midstream LLC, a private energy infrastructure company founded in 1998 to develop, own, and operate energy facilities throughout North America. WesPac is majority owned by Kealine LLC, a private development company.
